[NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 7 foot 2, which made this part of the event a challenge even for US President Obama, who is 6 foot 1 (Getty Images)]
Washington: US President Barack Obama on Tuesday conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom on former American Basketball Lakers Star Player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar along with 21 others in a ceremony at the White House.
While giving away his last batch of Presidential Medals of Freedom, Obama also applauded Kareem Abdul Jabbar for defending his Muslim faith, according to media reports.
“The reason we honor Kareem is more than just a pair of goggles and the skyhook,” Obama said.
“He stood up for his Muslim faith when it wasn’t easy and wasn’t popular. He’s as comfortable sparring with Bruce Lee as he is advocating on Capitol Hill or writing with extraordinary eloquence on patriotism", the president added.
Obama also gave away Presidential Medals of Freedom to huge names in Hollywood, the world of sports, philanthropy and others along with Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Obama's biggest challenge during the ceremony was trying to figure out how to get the award around the neck of over 7-foot Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Obama called him “The sport’s most unstoppable force” for two decades and quoted his character from the 1980 movie “Airplane!” saying, “He did it all while dragging Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.”
Along with being the NBA's all-time scoring leader, a six-time NBA champion, a six-time MVP, 19-time All-Star and serving as the United States' cultural ambassador, Abdul-Jabbar now also has a Medal of Freedom.
After retiring from basketball in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar, aged 69, continued to use his stature to try to change the public’s way of thinking on various issues. In particular, the White House commended him on his avocation for civil rights, cancer research, science education and social justice.
“Physically, intellectually, spiritually, Kareem is one-of-a-kind,” Obama said. “An American who both illuminates our most fundamental freedoms and our highest aspirations.”
From a podium at the White House, Obama explained that the awards are given to Americans who have 'lifted our spirits, strengthened our union, and pushed us toward progress.'
The honorees sat behind Obama as he delivered introductions; 'I always love doing this event. But this is a particularly impressive class,' he said.
'We've got innovators and artists, public servants, rabble rousers, athletes, renowned character actors - like the guy from Space Jam,' Obama said.
Unlike the great actors actually getting awards - Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, and Robert Redford - the president was referring to basketball great Michael Jordan, who appeared in the '90s partially-animated film.
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